Closing the ‘appreciation gap’ can be a game-changer for businesses that want to raise productivity in an age where more people are deciding to ‘only do what you are paid to do’, says Nebel Crowhurst, chief appreciation officer at Reward Gateway Edenred.
Back in the days before Zoom meetings and Teams calls became the norm, there was an unspoken rule: if you wanted to climb the career ladder, you had to put in extra hours to impress your boss. The promise of promotions and pay raises dangled like a carrot, convincing many to sacrifice their personal time and wellbeing for the sake of their career.
The phrase ‘going above and beyond’ has long been used by employers to motivate employees, driving productivity for the company’s benefit. In previous generations, especially among boomers, the expectation was to ‘live to work, not work to live,’ with career advancements and pay bumps reserved for those clocking in the long hours.
End of the extra mile?
Over time, the idea of going the extra mile turned into a daily expectation rather than an occasional necessity. Unsurprisingly, this began to take its toll on employee wellbeing, leading to increased stress, fatigue, and the all-too-familiar burnout.
Now, with the rise of trends like ‘quiet quitting’, ‘lazy girl jobs’, and the mantra of ‘doing only what you’re paid for’, it’s easy to wonder if the culture of going ‘above and beyond’ is fading away. It does seem that the tide is turning, and the catalyst for this shift is gen Z entering the workforce, challenging the traditional norms and pushing for a healthier work-life balance.
Balance over burnout
People’s priorities are changing. For the everyday employee working a 9-5 job, it’s no longer a case of sacrificing your personal life to do a good job and get ahead in your career, this group of employees don’t want to hinder their wellbeing for career progression. Instead, people are beginning to recognise that they can bring their best selves to work if they have a healthy work life balance.
Businesses are realising this too. They see the benefits that a positive work environment, one where their people feel engaged and appreciated, has on their bottom lines. From lowering levels of absence, sickness, and stress among staff to boosting employee morale to improve business outcomes, employers are starting to see the rewards that a healthy work life balance brings.
Right to switch off
The new Labour government is also getting on the case, looking to implement the ‘right to switch off’ legislation. When it comes into force, this legislation will give employees the right to “ignore” emails from their employer after work hours, with the hopes of promoting a healthier work life balance across industries.
The truth is productivity in the workplace isn’t about squeezing every last drop of effort out of your employees. Productivity gains come through creating a positive workplace, one where people feel heard and appreciated.
Closing the appreciation gap
When businesses make appreciation a core part of their culture, they can see a boost in performance by as much as 5 percent to 7 percent according to our Employee Engagement: An Economic Value Study research.
But appreciation isn’t just about handing out one-off gifts or goodies; it’s about creating a real shift in how a company operates, from the ground up. The impact of this shift is undeniable—just as low morale and burnout can drag down productivity, a culture of appreciation can raise it, leading to more engaged and motivated employees.
When employees feel truly valued as individuals, not just as job titles, they tend to be more empathetic, collaborative, and inclined to spread positivity throughout the workplace. Closing the ‘appreciation gap’—that space between routine gestures and genuinely meeting employees’ needs—can be a game-changer for businesses looking to boost productivity and create an environment where people genuinely thrive and feel supported.
Benefits that matter
One great way to show appreciation is by offering benefits that really matter to your team. For instance, during tough financial times, providing benefits such as interest-free loans for essential purchases can ease some of that stress. Or why not support your employees in making big life decisions with pet-adoption benefits, fertility support, or even mortgage advice? These kinds of perks show you care about more than just their work—you care about them as people with their own unique needs and aspirations.
If businesses want to get the most out of their employees, they need to start by truly appreciating them. This means listening to what they need and offering benefits that help maintain a healthy work-life balance. When companies invest in their employees’ happiness and align with their values, they don’t just attract top talent—they also boost productivity, enhance workplace satisfaction, and spark innovation that drives long-term success.
